The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

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CSUN international student sheds stress on campus

CSUN international student sheds stress on campus
Mao Otahima, 23, a linguistics major, works part-time as a Japanese tutor at the Language Lab. Photo credit: John Saringo-Rodriguez / Daily Sundial

For Cal State Northridge students, balancing classes, work, internships, extracurriculars and personal relationships can be overwhelming. But it’s especially difficult for linguistics major, Mao Otahima, 23, whose family and support are on another continent.

While students may find it easier to take naps, eat healthy and occasionally exercise, Otahima, an international student from Yokohama, Japan, takes it one step further by taking advantage of resources available on campus.

She said this semester is especially difficult for her because she is taking upper division classes for her major, tutoring part time and supporting herself through college.

University Counseling Services on the fifth floor of Bayramian Hall offers free, by appointment, one-on-one counseling services to CSUN students.

“They have many counselors that can help me with many issues,” Otahima said.

Another resource is the Klotz Living Well Lounge located next to the Northridge Center in the USU. The lounge is operated by students, for students.

“The Living Well Lounge is a place for students to gather health information from peer educators,” said Sharon Aronoff, Health Educator and Student Health Outreach at the Klotz Student Health Center.

According to Aronoff, it’s a place where students can go to relax, watch movies, enjoy a massage chair and get health information including links to outside resources.

Another campus stress manager Otahima uses is the Klotz Student Health Center located next to Chaparral Hall.

“To de-stress I go to Klotz to [get] massaged and to relax,” Otahima said.

The center provides many low-cost services, including acupuncture and massage. So students can feel energized without emptying out their pockets.

Mao is taking 14 units, when she has time she studies at the Oviatt library between classes. “This semester will be especially stressful for me,” she said. Photo credit: John Saringo-Rodriguez / Daily Sundial

 

Mao believes that eating healthy will help keep her in a positive mood and in doing so will keep her stress levels low. Photo credit: John Saringo-Rodriguez / Daily Sundial

 

Mao plays with her cats Kiki, Kookoo, and Summer to help her de-stress. Photo credit: John Saringo-Rodriguez / Daily Sundial

 

To relieve some stress, Mao likes to go shopping during her down-time. Photo credit: John Saringo-Rodriguez / Daily Sundial

 

Mao believes that it is important to take advantage of CSUN’s University Counseling Services located on the fifth floor of Bayramian Hall. She usually has an appointment to see a therapist at least once a month. Photo credit: John Saringo-Rodriguez / Daily Sundial

 

Mao and her boyfriend Cody Okazaki have been together for five months. “He always manages to make me laugh when i’m too stressed out,” she said. Photo credit: John Saringo-Rodriguez / Daily Sundial

 

Licensed Massage Therapist, Rita Wolf (left) and Mao (right), believe that it is important to take advantage of CSUN’s Klotz Student Health Center. Massages and acupuncture are just a couple services at the center that will help with stress. Photo credit: John Saringo-Rodriguez / Daily Sundial